Voice of Nigeria
 | |
| Type | Radio network |
|---|---|
| Country |
 Nigeria |
| Availability | International |
| Owner | Federal Government of Nigeria |
Key people | Sampson Ogbonda Worlu (Director General), previous: Abubakar Jijiwa (2005 -2015), Taiwo Allimi (1999 - 2004), Yaya Abubakar (1990-1999) |
Launch date | 1961 |
Official website | http://www.voiceofnigeria.org.ng/ |
The Voice of Nigeria (VON) is the official international broadcasting station of Nigeria.
History
Founded in 1961, the Voice of Nigeria began life as the External Service of the then Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (now Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria). Then Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa commissioned the service.
The nation's growing commitment informed the need to have an external channel through which authoritative information about the African situation could be disseminated to the entire world. Even then, its transmission, using a 10 kW HF transmitter, was limited to West Africa for two hours daily in English and French. Broadcast hours increased to six in 1963 with the commissioning of five prototype RCA 100 kW transmitters.
In 1989, five Brown Boveri transmitters with antennae system were acquired. On January 5, 1990, VON became autonomous, and in 1996, three state-of-the-art 250 kW Thomcast AG transmitters were commissioned. This boosted VON's transmission to the entire world. The transmitting station is located on 40 hectares at Ipokodo, Ikorodu in Lagos State. While the administrative headquarters is in Abuja, the Federal Capital, News and Programmes emanate from both the Lagos and Abuja studios. In 2012, VON commissioned another state of the art multi-billion naira transmitting station at Lugbe, Abuja.
Objectives
Voice of Nigeria was established for the following objectives:
- To project Nigeria’s positive image externally.
- To inform the world on national and African issues and developments.
- To change the perspectives of the world on Nigeria and the black world.
- To help in shaping the world, especially as it benefits Nigeria and Africa.
- To unite Africa and the black world.
- To engender positive contribution of Africans in the Diaspora to the growth and development of the continent.
Vision
“To become the international radio broadcasting station of first choice for anyone interested in Nigeria and Africa”.
Mission
“Reflecting Nigerian and African perspective in our broadcast, winning and sustaining the attention, respect and goodwill of listeners worldwide particularly Nigerians and Africans in the Diaspora and making Nigeria’s voice to be heard more positively in the shaping of our world”
See also
- External program hours - Comparison with some other external radio broadcasters
- Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, the Nigerian publicly funded radio broadcaster
External links
- Voice of Nigeria Website (Arabic) (English) (French)